We Need to Talk About This $3 Dior Lip Glow Dupe

I’m a sucker for products that have an element of personalization. Whether it’s a customizable shampoo or a BB cream that magically adjusts to my coloring, I like beauty products that feel like they were made just for me. I have been a loyal fan of Dior Lip Glow Color Reviver Balm ($34) for that very reason; it works with my natural pH, leaving behind a one-of-a-kind look that’s always flattering on my skintone. While I love the results, I definitely don’t love the cost. That’s why when a new drugstore option gave me similar effects for a fraction of the price, I was instantly obsessed.

Just like the Dior option (and Lipstick Queen’s wildly popular Frog Prince), Essence Kiss The Frog Lipstick ($3) adapts to create a personalized pink pigment just for me. But despite its name, it doesn’t feel like a typical lipstick, since the lightweight, ChapStick-like texture melts into my lips instead of sitting on top of them. The punchy raspberry pigment — a more vibrant form of my natural lip hue — stays putthroughout the day. At first, there’s an oh-so-subtle sheen to the finish, but after about an hour, it sets to a totally matte stain that lasts from breakfast to bedtime. I have to use makeup wipes to fully remove the color — it’s that long-wearing.

Since the price is so low, and the pigment is on point, I keep several of these on-hand. When I get to work, I start with a quick swipe to give myself a bit of color for the day. If I’m primping before a night out, I also turn to this mini-but-mighty lippie to act as a stain underneath a bolder hue. In case my top coat starts fading away, the tint holds up so I don’t have any uneven color.

You can typically find this Texan writing, trying on a new lipstick, gabbing with her identical twin sister or volunteering at the local animal shelter. She finds inspiration from rosé, beauty products, Tex-Mex and cats.